The 50 Million Pound Blog

YOU GO DENNIS, WE HAVE YOUR BACK ON THIS CHALLENGE. I KNOW ALL TOO WELL ABOUT THE UP AND DOWN WEIGHT LOST DANCE. LIFE IS ABOUT BEING HEALTHLY & HAPPY. I'M SURE THE GEM THAT U R HOLDING IN THIS PHOTO IS WORTH BEING BOTH H&H. SO STAY FOCUSED AND ALWAYS KNOW WE (THE CHALLENGERS) HAVE UR BACK.

Dennis stay encouraged. Every day I wake up and face being paraplegic which makes it harder to lose weight than ever...I weighed 145# only 5 years ago. Now I weigh 217 after losing my first 10#. However, overall my self-image has improved tremendously as I do aerobics for 1 hour 3 days a week and lift weights for about an hour and a half afterward on all 3 days. This is all done from my wheelchair and it's my goal to lose the weight slow ands sure so it stays off. May God bless you and you're in my prayers.

Dinner is so overratted. Why not up the anty on the bet and go for tickets to a sporting event or foot the bill at a 4 star hotel for you and your spouse for 1 night. Your working hard to lose weigth don't let the prize be food. Just a thought.

Thank you everyone for your comments. It is a definate motivator. So far I have been watching what I eat, and in the meantime have been consulting with a trainer at my local gym for some pointers. Cardio seems to be the best way at the moment, but he says to stay in the fat burning zone. I am slowly easing my way into strength training. I know WE CAN ALL DO IT and no matter how hard it is, just remember the benefits once we reach our goal. I am staying away from the scale because it can be deceiving at times. I try to go by the way my clothes fit and the notches on my belt. The other motivator I have is that Ive made a bet with a coworker. Who ever loses the most at the end of 3 months buys the winner a dinner of our choice no matter what price. I want to win so I am going to try my best. Well I wish you all luck. I hope to show some pictures 3 months from now. Ciao everyone.

Hi Dennis,
I am wishing you the best on your journey to good health. I too, am apart of the "challenge" and it has not been easy. I have a husband that is a big junk food snacker and it has been very tempting. However, since I am the one who buys the groceries in the house, I've been buying alot of healthy foods and snacks for the family. They gave me a hard time at first but when they started seeing the weight coming off they slowly got on board! You can do it! Start slow and keep a positive attitude. Always remember that you want to be around for your children that's a great motivator.
Best wishes, Kerri

There are some really good comments on this blog.

Dennis, I am a physician and found multiple aspects of your story interesting. First, you did absolutely the right thing by getting your cardic work up, it was a wake up call I'm sure. But I wanted to make sure that an SVT has been ruled out for your chest tightness and palpatations. Ask your doc, you might need to wear a heart monitor for a few days.

Second, I left a rather lengthy reply to the last blog, but much of it applies to your situation as well. I myself had to lose a bunch, and I learned alot in the process...and it IS a process. You must understand that losing fat weight is a slow but steady process if done right. It truly is next to impossible to lose much more than 1 to 1.5 pounds of fat in a week unless you expend extraordinary calories in physical exertion and maintain adequate calories.

Eating FREQUENTLY and HEALTHY is the first key secret to sustained weight loss. This is a skill that MUST be learned!! For reasons that have rather difficult biochemical explanations, if a person eats only once per day, they will almost certainly gain a lot of fat over time; as opposed to another person who eats the same amount of calories divided into multiple meals and snacks. The second person will lose fat over time. This is why you should never skip breakfast when you are trying to lose weight. The key of course is to make sure your total calorie intake is CONSISTENTLY a LITTLE BIT less than your calorie output. Ideal is about 300-500 calories less. In a nutshell, during waking hours, try to eat every 3-4 hours, small amounts of healthy food.

The second "secret" is to never have a large calorie deficit in a day. It triggers the body into starvation mode and will actually cause you to gain weight.

Third, exercise in a smart way. Find a nice mix of aerobic and strength training, both will help maintain a consistent calorie output that will compliment your diet.

Fourth, and most important, EXPECT set backs. I am a "streaker" personality, I do well for a stretch, then as soon as I "screw up", I totally fall off the map and nose dive. Over the past 5 months, I've finally begun to "forgive" my set backs, and understand this is life, not a video game to be conquered. I stopped exercising for 4 weeks around christmas and got depressed as hell, but then I slowly got back at it, and realized later that my set back was truly minimal. I enjoyed the holidays, and am taking it one work out at a time. Losing fat weight is a marathon, not a sprint.

It also sounds like you are susceptible to anxiety and depression. Intense aerobic exercise (running, elliptical etc, at 80% max heart rate for >25 min) has been shown to be a remarkable antidepressant, better than any medication, if consistently done. Just a thought. :)

Finally, concentrate more on abdominal inches than on weight. Loss of just one inch of belly fat is a remarkable amount of fat loss. I finally realized that, and I now jump for joy at even a quarter inch lost...this is a lot more fat than you might think.

By taking it slow, and learning how to eat small meals during the day, I've managed to lose 22 pounds and 4 inches off my belly in 6 months. Nothing spectacular, but I feel great for the first time in years. Just keep getting back on that horse everytime you fall off...EVERYONE falls, its who gets back up that's the true winner!

Good luck Dennis, hope this helps.

"Doctor B"

You can do it Dennis! I know how you feel about the hesitation and partial panic after the little heart scare thingy. But, you have to know you did the right thing by going to the doctor's to get it checked out first before continuing. I have some health issues too, but I'm making sure this time I do this with a doc's supervision. Make sure you don't do this alone. Get your doctor to monitor you through stages of this program so that you'll stay focused and determined to finish. I'm sure that will lessen your anxiety knowing that every week or so your doc knows what your doing and approves of each successful step you make! Good luck!

Hey Dennis,

I just want you to know that it is never too late. I have been through the struggle of losing weight and becoming healthier now for more than eight years and this past year was the first year I made progress. I only lost 11 lbs but managed to maintain for one entire year. You too can do this. Take it slow. Don't rush because of what you see others doing. Take one change at a time. I am encouraging my team to make one change per month such as; increasing water intake, walking for 30 minutes a day; eating more fruits and vegetables. I also encourage them to also let one thing go at the same time such as; less soda, less of the bad sweets, or less of the inactivity. You can do this. It is for you and your children but mostly for your change for a better, healthier lifestyle.

I beleive you've made one of the best decisions, simply because you've made up your mind to change and enjoy a healthier life style. As with everyone else it's called a PROCESS and all these things take time. My family is my motivating factor. Coming from a family with a history of diabeties and heart disease made me realize that at my present age I can control or limit my risks and be an example to my family. I'm learning self-discipline, that I can still enjoy eating foods from my culture by controling my food portions and eating in moderation, and you feel so much better about yourself inside and out when you stick to your plan. Success remains constant because you continue to beleive in yourself!!! Blessings and much success!!! :)

Hello,

I am just beginning my first day and according to the book, I should be cleansing (Induction) during my first 4 days. However, on the Web site, my Day 1 meal plan includes items that are not a part of the cleansing process.

What should I do? Where can I find the meals that are appropriate for the induction process?

Rita

Stick with it Dennis you have something in your arms worth getting healthy for.

My name is Tonee i am 14 years old and i really need help even though i am to young for the challenge because i calculate myself on the BMI , and I am obese 36.8%. So can u miss help me get to my goal please.

Today is my first day. I'm excited to see all the wonderful success stories and wonderful support provided to each other. I look forward to being featured on the "Challenger of the Year" posting.

You can do it! Congratulations on taking the first step towards taking back your health. Take one day at a time and if you fall, get up, dust yourself off and start again.

I wish you all the success in the world. By the way, you've got a twin here in Fort Madison, Iowa. You look JUST LIKE my son's best friend!

I feel the same way you do. I weigh 252 lbs and am 5 ft tall. My BMI is 49.2 obese. I lost 10 lbs last Nov. and gained it back Jan. I just lost 5 lbs since Jan. by counting calories & exercising 10 min 3xs a day. It's hard to stay under 1411 calories a day but I keep trying. I have a heart condt., asthma, borderline diabetes, arthritis in knees. So I must be careful with the exercises and stick to a heart healthy and diabetic diet. I want to be healthy for my children and grandchildren, must set a good example to be healthy and slim. Hope this challenge will work for us both.

Good luck to you! With two sweet little motivations, I'm sure you will accomplish your goals.

You can do it -- what you need is the kind of accountability you get here and at Team Beachbody!

Is it possible you could join us March 7th for a massive online workout, and help get the word out?

I want to get leaders like you to the Beachbody WOWY Gym (www.wowy.com) to break the record of 522 people working out at the same time, Saturday March 7th at 11AM ET/8AM PT.

It would be great if you can make it and bring some people with you!

Carl Daikeler
CEO – Beachbody

www.end-the-trend.com

I know you can do it. I recently started a diet and gained 4 pounds. I have been on every diet imaginable, i know all the right things to eat and to do, but like you never follow through.

I am 53 years old 5 2 and weigh 184 pounds. yes, I am obese. I have decided not to lose weigh, because I always find it, but to release weight. I am starting all over again because I want to be fine in my fifties.

Dear Dennis,

I am 37 years old and also a mother of (2) great kids. I read your story and I am here to say, it's never too late to get fit and loose pounds. I also would like to loose at least 25-30 pounds. You are so right about one thing. I find the older I am the harder it is to loose. When I was younger I could shed pounds without blinking an eye. Ahh, to be young again LOL I will pray for you and wish you all the luck and success!
K.Martinez
Sunny Florida~